An Overview Of Child Labour In India

Abstract

The growing problem of child labour in most of the developing countries is of great concern. The existence of child labour deprives a nation of its potential human capital who could have been more productive and resourceful if not forced to work in their childhood. The issue of child labour entered the public debate with the advent of universal schooling, with the changes in working conditions since the industrial revolution, and with the emergence of the concept of workers’ and children’s rights.

In simple words, child labour refers to that group of children between 5-14 years age who are out of school and are engaged either in hazardous or non-hazardous occupations. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) defines child labour as the work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and harmful to their physical and mental development. The existence of child labour deprives them from the opportunity to attend school. The structural persistence of poverty, lack of educational opportunities, inadequate laws, orphan hood, insufficient protective legislation, among a few things, are the root cause of the prevalence of child labour in India